Making every note count

What can be the only thing more fun than listening to music? Playing it of course! That’s where Bengaluru-based musician Ashley Music comes into play. When he’s not making the world go round, taking you to a happy place and all that jazz with his three bands, he’s helping Bengalureans play an instrument or hum a tune.

The founder and director of The Music Room, a special music school in Kothanur, Ashley is independently pushing the boundaries of music education in a fun, easy-to-learn teaching method with anyone who wants to give it a try.

The music school teaches keyboards, drums, guitars, violins, vocals and more in a non-linear learning experience that makes the whole class set-up fun, surrounded by lush greenery, a chilled out café and quirky wall paintings.

Looking back, Ashley recalls that he’s always had an innate passion for teaching. “But it happened quite by accident. I’d been part of the music scene and performing for many years, but never taught music until I was asked to substitute for a friend. It was a music class in my church’s Sunday School. By the end of the class, I realised how much fun it was.”

Since then, he says it’s evolved to the point that today, “I’ve taught thousands of students and worked with several international schools across the city as well as trained choirs and bands and handed various instruments. I’ve worked hard to follow my passion. I love what I do and I do what I love!”

What inspired The Music Room in particular? Ashley says he wasn’t very happy with the way music is taught in most schools in the city. “There’s usually a piano or a guitar and children come to just sing songs in them. That is not music. Children need to pick up an instrument at a very young age. I wanted to make sure of that. When I started teaching, I used to take home tuitions across Bengaluru doing it merely for the passion of teaching.

That went on for a year for free since I wanted to first learn how to do it. Meanwhile, I was always on the lookout for a space to set up my own place. Several years later is when I chanced upon this place. The name came to me one day by chance and now, just under eight months since The Music Room started, we have over 75 students.”

He adds that the school also has some of the finest teachers “All our faculty members have degrees in music and come with a lot of experience working with children. We currently have 12 fulltime teachers.”

What sets The Music Room apart is the way it’s designed to include fun in learning.

Ashley elaborates: “There’s no textbook rule – you come learn your music and do songs or anything you’d like to learn. We don’t have a set syllabus, but we ensure that we capture both – the seriousness of learning the instrument and the fun aspect. We hold regular jam sessions and group practices. I come from a band experience so I want the children to have the same. We’ve put together mini bands within the school itself so once a month jam sessions will see tiny tots to senior adults jamming together and belting out some awesome music hits!”

Where there is music, there are bound to be shows and The Music Room is not short of their concert line-up. “We do quarterly shows in the café downstairs with the vocal department performing everything from rock and jazz to pop and reggae. It’s very in-house, laid back performances with the bands. But we also have a big one coming in December which will be a very interesting Christmas concert.” Ashley adds that expansion is also in the offing. “We are looking at opening new branches across Bengaluru and expanding to other cities too.”

Teacher by day, Rockstar by night

Reflecting on his musical journey, the 36-year-old affirms it was decision he made back in college and “it’s the best one I’ve ever made in my life. There have been several challenges in taking this career path, but starting off with bands and taking to teaching has helped me reap many rewards in the long run. Today, I’m a teacher by day and a rockstar by night! This is real fulltime music!”

Ashley plays with three bands in his performance avatar – dance pop-rock band Hard Attack, blues-rock outfit Ministry of Blues and mashup party band Zehen. “Each band needs that quality time and practice. We clocked over 100 shows last year and show no signs of stopping,” says an exuberant Ashley.

How does he juggle between teaching and performing? He replies: “Practice happens every day. Each band is evolving and I constantly switch personalities with each set-up. I don’t know how I do it, but I’m able to exude some amazing chemistry on stage. Meanwhile, morning to evening, I’m teaching. That takes my mind off the gig scene.”

The biggest takeaway from The Music Room, Ashley says is you go back smiling having achieved what you wanted to do. “Here, dreams come true. People come with a question mark and leave with an exclamation! We do things different here – there is a personal connect, freedom to learn and express here.”

Age is also no bar, points out Ashley. “My youngest is four years old and he’s learning drums while the oldest is 70 learning piano. Anyone is welcome to be part of the happy family.” He adds: “Once a month on a Saturday, we get our students to get a friend along in an initiative we call ‘Each One, Bring One’. Friends or family come, chill out and have a good time. Many end up signing up after that. I don’t advertise. It’s purely word of mouth.”

The Music Room is on the First Floor, Above Stars Cafe, No. 30, K Narayanapura Cross Road, Kothanur Post. Call 9886120830

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